Getting solar at the house

[gnihcraes]

The site survey guy warned me of all the xcel delays. Otherwise they would have it installed and running in no time. O'well, the way it is I guess. It will give me time to evaluate my options with the system.

[gnihcraes]

Update: My system design is complete. They appear to have refused to do any structure upgrades in the older section of my house. Thus the system has been designed to only go on the new portion with the new rafters.

System has been changed from 7.4kw, to 2.9kw.

Not happy right now, they tell me one thing, we'll fix it up, then don't call or discuss before making the changes.

Good thing, this is more than 10% change as I was told by sales staff, I can opt out of everything at this point. Calling them first thing in the morning to discuss.

Already sent an unhappy email to the sales gal, she might want her commission. Doubt she gets anything unless it's installed and operational.

#^*#@%^@^*%*#

· The usable area on the mounting plane is smaller than previously estimated due to structural concerns, therefore we have removed 3.92kW from your system.

• Because of this change we have decreased the size of your payment appropriately.

You will receive a separate email from me via EchoSign with an amendment to your contract that reflects these changes and can be approved via electronic signature. Please click on the highlighted link in the email then review the document and follow the instructions to approve the contract.

Before we can begin your installation we need you to:

· Please trim the trees adjacent to the South facing mounting plane.


Yeah, I wouldn't need to trim any trees if the system was on the other half of the house. (kinda figured I would trim it up a bit anyways)

[Gman]

Wow. That's a substantial change. You'll also be fighting those trees for as long as you need them out of the way of the panels.

[gnihcraes]

Wow. That's a substantial change. You'll also be fighting those trees for as long as you need them out of the way of the panels.

Correct. I need to trim this tree and another anyway, so I'll get a quote for that before continuing with any of this.

I can opt out of the contract right now because of such a substantial change, I won't approve the engineering drawings, I've already printed out the cancellation form. Just trying to figure out exactly where to email it. Everything is Electronic except for the cancellation process, which indicates "mail to:" a physical address. The contracts mention a 3 day period after signing and a 14 day period to cancel. ??

Solar City will have to send a new contract anyway, since the kW and payment structure has changed.

totally bummed. Might still continue with this, just have to think about it and run the numbers.

[meatman]

Good thing, this is more than 10% change as I was told by sales staff, I can opt out of everything at this point. Calling them first thing in the morning to discuss.

Already sent an unhappy email to the sales gal, she might want her commission. Doubt she gets anything unless it's installed and operational.

That's a bummer. They had to change our original design because they said that the roof on our house was only going to last 8 more years. I was ready to opt out, but since the engineers were already at our house, they decided to check out my new garage and found a way to put it on there. It all worked out at the end. That seems like a huge drop in the system output though to go from 7.4kw to 2.9. Did they say what the percentage of your average usage the 2.9kw system is compared to the 7.4?

[tmleadr03]

Update: My system design is complete. They appear to have refused to do any structure upgrades in the older section of my house. Thus the system has been designed to only go on the new portion with the new rafters.

System has been changed from 7.4kw, to 2.9kw.

Not happy right now, they tell me one thing, we'll fix it up, then don't call or discuss before making the changes.

Good thing, this is more than 10% change as I was told by sales staff, I can opt out of everything at this point. Calling them first thing in the morning to discuss.

Already sent an unhappy email to the sales gal, she might want her commission. Doubt she gets anything unless it's installed and operational.

#^*#@%^@^*%*#

· The usable area on the mounting plane is smaller than previously estimated due to structural concerns, therefore we have removed 3.92kW from your system.

• Because of this change we have decreased the size of your payment appropriately.

You will receive a separate email from me via EchoSign with an amendment to your contract that reflects these changes and can be approved via electronic signature. Please click on the highlighted link in the email then review the document and follow the instructions to approve the contract.

Before we can begin your installation we need you to:

· Please trim the trees adjacent to the South facing mounting plane.


Yeah, I wouldn't need to trim any trees if the system was on the other half of the house. (kinda figured I would trim it up a bit anyways)

Wouldn't that be a 3.5kW system, not 2.9?

Sorry to hear about the headache. My system got downgraded as well, but due to the chimney shadow from my next door neighbors house.

[gnihcraes]

Well it is listed as 3.4 in one spot and 2.9 in another. One is system size and one is promised output I think.

Frustrated right now because nobody will call me back! I have questions if the house can be fixed up a bit to allow for large array.

I'm sure it can be, but for what cost, to who and if engineering will balk no matter what is done. I'm not going to fix things up to find out they still won't approve it. House has bee here since 1922. Still standing.

[CO Hugh]

Bait and Switch travelers.

[gnihcraes]

Update:

Not much changed, I finally got ahold of someone, including the sales gal.

Sales Gal is looking into things, but probably can't do anything obviously.

Engineering folks confirmed, they will not do any updates to my rafters and will not install panels on that 1/3 of the house. (original house)

There is no pressure from Solar City to do anything further, I can opt out of the contract because of 10% difference in the quote. No time frame, although the sooner the better I'd figure.

I'm waiting for a quote to trim up the tree, it needs that done anyway.

I can go with the new quote and system, and if the structure is fixed up in the future, they can approve and install the full system.

I can fix things up without too much hassle and meet their requirement most likely. I'll probably have to get an engineering plan drawn up and then a permit to make it all legal.

52 2x4's, couple boxes of strong ties and nails, I can match it exactly like the new rafters are.

[Firehaus]

Did they account for the old growth lumber which should support more than new construction? I know my structural engineer said there was equations for taking that into account on my 1909 building.